2014 Audi S4 - Review & Test Drive
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- Опубликовано: 25 авг 2024
- The 2014 Audi S4 features a 333 HP supercharged 3.0L V6 engine, matched with an optional 7 speed S-tronic dual clutch transmission. This vehicle features all wheel drive, with a 40/60 torque split front rear, and an optional sport differential, which is capable of torque vectoring. The four door sedan has seating for five, and is rated at 18/28 mpg city/highway. MSRP as tested is approximately $58,400.
Torque Vectoring Diff - • Torque Vectoring Diffe...
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Watching this 7 years later and safe to say, the 3.0t has aged quite nicely 👌
Especially considering the B9 Generation was even more numb in the steering dept and less involving to drive. Now, I'm NOT saying this as a "Bimmer Snob", because I have owned AUDI's, Bimmers, Alfa's and Porsche. But, for the money you simply can NOT beat an E90 BMW 335i with the M-Sport Pkg and a Manual trans. The steering feel, chassis dynamics and overall driver-engagement are off the charts amazing. Of course, that was back when BMW actually cared driving enthusiasts.
For real. It’s a gorgeous car. Super classic and elegant
Reading this 2 years later and watching 9 years later, the 3.0t is great. In the middle of building one.
That was one of the easiest to watch and most informative car reviews I've seen, good job!
+Paul McMillan Thank you!
+Paul McMillan I second this
Consumer: so, audi why is there no dipstick?
Audi: weight reduction, bro
My dip stick snapped off :)
The sedan looks so boring
@@sipsimies1588 part of what I loved about it. Very understated but relatively quick. Even one of Audi’s more reliable years, but very expensive to maintain especially if previous owners did not
It’s electronic..
A true "paddle shift" car. So many people get excited about automatics with paddles. This car's dual clutch actually makes the paddles useful.
N96ZG what makes the paddles more useful?
Jrew the dual clutch?
The ZF8 torque converter auto gearbox is as good as any dct transmission. Reviewers highly rating it.
Back in the days dct was faster than torque converter autos, not really the case anymore with a good auto.
@@Saif0412 The benefit of the DCT goes beyond just quicker shifting. It is essentially a manual gearbox internally so it is less complicated than an auto as well as being stronger and less parasitic loss. I haven't driven the 8spd auto so i can't speak on the driving feel but man does the DCT feel nice. So snappy and the downshifts are on point. These cars with the the sport diff are so fun to drive, you can get it to hang the ass end out so easily. If only they brought the avant over to the states I would definitely own one.
@@AnissaEx A DCT is NOT a manual transmission. It is an auto with twin shafts. Odd gears and even gears. The dual clutch part is how it disengages one shaft and engages the other. Aka how they shift gears. A manual has a clutch to separate the engine from the trans and you manual move gears on rails into place.
Thanks for that honest review. I was/am considering buying a 2014 S4. You saved me an awkward trip to a dealership for a test drive and helped me avoid aggressive salespeople.
I own a 2014 S4,you said you can't skip music tracks on the steering wheel. I wanted to correct you on that. The scroll button on the R controls volume like you said but the scroll wheel on the left causes track listing to show on your dashboard info display and you can scroll back or forwards to select a different track and click down to play that track
Kayone73 this is a really old response...but you can’t skip if you’re using Bluetooth.
how would you rate the comfort of the ride? I have an S4 B6 and it's pretty hard. How would you compare it to other models/brands?
+
Powerlove I know this is old comment but b6 to a b8.5 would be a noticeable bump in comfort mode. It’s not Bentley/Rolls comfort but it dampens most bumps enough to not be uncomfortable. But in dynamic it’s fairly stiff.
As an owner of a 2000 S4, I have to say that Audi definatly improved in overall car quality. Also the the way you described the throttle response totally matched my response when I first drove my car! Excellent video!
Damn! I remeber watching your videos a long time ago and I remebered that you said that you quit your job. At first I was worried for you but now I see that you get to do reviews to many fine cars and your channel's pupolarity increased drastically.
Keep up the good work!
Do what you love (that sustains you)!.
Engineering Explained yes ive been watching for a long time also like since middle school lol
I think you improved in a major way.
I really want to buy this car!
Ended up buying it
Jonathan Frederic you should have brought a mustang
Happy so far?
Jonathan Frederic How is it?
Honestly it's everything I had hoped for. A very luxurious interior, sleeper appearance, and more torque than I know what to do with plus 4 wheel drive. No complaints yet. It's a big upgrade from my previous car, a 2006 Civic SI.
"And then it yelled at me for going...... the speed limit"
Watched the whole video! This is the first video iv seen on your channel and it was great! You went in depth and explained everything , keep it up!
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! There's 200+ other videos should you care to explore the rest of the channel. :)
yeah prob one of the best car reviews ive seen.
I own a 2014 Audi S4. It's a glorious machine. From the bang and O stereo to the immediate torque, it's such a gratifying car to drive. 6 months later, I'm still taking the long way home from work. It pulls hard and feels closer to 380hp and 380ft lbs of tq. Highly recommend his car to anyone that wants a mid size 4 door sports car. Blends luxury with sport better than any car I can think of for the price
814gt how is the maintenance?
I have had my 2016 B8.5 S4 for a tad over 2 years and not a single issue. S4 forum members have reported few problems as the engine and electronics seem largely bulletproof for the 8.5 versions (although the B8s had some problems that were resolved in the mid-life B8.5 update).
It has been my car for the last 5 years and I'm still in love with it. I just had the ECU flashed with Unitronic program to give 390hp and 350 lb-ft and it's insane. I'm probably going to keep this amazing car 2-3 years.
Hey, I was looking to pick up a used Audi s4 and I was wondering if you could let me know how reliable it was? Did you have to bring it into the garage often? I was going to buy an A4 a few years back but many drivers reported engine issues, but the S4 is a different engine. Any info you could share would be great.
Oh nevermind, I just saw the other replies.
I'm a bit of a n00b, whats a B8s?
The one that u put the coins is actually a card holder 😂
Its actually not , in the German variants euros go there 😝I bought my Audi in Germany and that's what they told me but now I need to try to put cards in it lol
I'm actually a big fan of what Audi did with putting they key in all the way to start it instead of pushing the button to start. It also gives the choice to do either or which is great, because some people like it the other way. I just prefer having my key somewhere I can see it and won't lose it, and I'm old school like that? Idk but I see what they did. I like it.
Omar Alvarado I suppose, I just leave in my pocket and you never have to think about it, which is nice. Can open/lock the doors and start it without it ever leaving your pocket.
I totally agree! My old Lexus only had the button and I always had to stuff the keys into the ash tray
I really love Audi and especially the S4 & S5, so I love this video! While the DCT is very nice and has launch control, I'd probably get the S5 with a manual. Overall though, these cars are the perfect mix between sportiness, luxury, and comfort.
Your reviews are awesome!
You just need better shots and a bigger budget, than no one can stop you
Haha thanks. My budget is... nonexistent. :)
Wheel bolt caps are more like theft protection, because they are hard to get out without specific tool for the job.
wow. keeping heat off the battery by placing it in the trunk. awesome. battery lasts much longer that way I bet. Good job Audi!
Probably did it more for weight distribution as the engine hangs over the front wheels.
Yes, that is how a REAL TEST should be done! Great!
I have had a 2014 S4 from new and I basically agree with your assessment. They really improved the refinement (especially regarding the transmission) over the previous version (I had a 2010 version previously). The steering is the biggest weakness and is somewhat tire dependant. Regarding the throttle response, I remember test driving a 2010 model with the manual trans, and the throttle response of that car (especially for heel & toe) was second only to a CGT or McLaren F1. Lastly, this is one of the only Torsen diff. AWD cars that I have driven that can be easily induced to oversteer on throttle. It makes switching to a viscous diff AWD (say in an RS3) harder to contemplate 🤔
how would you rate the comfort of the ride? I have an S4 B6 and it's pretty hard. How would you compare it to other models/brands?
The most honest thumbnail in youtube, video literally starts from the thumbnail picture
I remember driving that road 10 years ago in my '93 Porsche 968 and thinking how fun it was. The S4 is my new dream car, and I'm so looking forward to taking it back there to try out the bends and hills. Great video, and thanks for the nostalgia / dream reminder, you rock!! :D
Dude you did great job , I just subscribed!
+zakria hamdi Thanks for subscribing!
+zakria hamdi tbh I thought I had already subbed, been watching his stuff for nearly a year lmao
zakria hamdi and the only man that can make america a muscle is not even the best car to play with the best open the car and they have a maserati of a mustang and is the only one to get you out there and your vehicle is a car look like that is the car you want it is a car look at your vehicle and you have a maserati and you have a mustang and they don't know how you parked your vehicle still a mustang parked cars car cars and parked cars.
WTF?
Voice recorder and some video:)
Keep up the ultra detailed reviews dude, too many people just give specs and brief overviews. Guess attention to detail comes with the engineering territory. Great work!
I have had this car for almost four years... And some of these features you have pointed out I have never seen, read or even knew existed! THANKS!
I was driving this car to its limits on an Audi test track in Germany... And my god it's an awesome car to drive.
Great review
Ive had 3 different 2010 to 2015 s4 now
You hit it pretty good.
These cars are the best bang for your buck
Tune and heat exchanger upgrade and dual pulley puts them at 500hp
I ran 10.7 sec in my 2010 on race file
Are the s4’s practical for daily driving? Say if it has about 40-50k miles as far as reliability.
TJ Decker I would say so. Just keep up with the maintenance & you should be fine :)
:) oh hey its my car! year, color, the only difference is that i got the manual. there are a few points about the manual that i think are worth discussing but this review is of the dsg so i wont waste my breath. The only thing i would say is that the key being inserted to start the car is necessary for the spare key function or if your key's battery dies. The spare key has two parts, a plastic wallet key that can unlock the doors and glovebox, then in the glovebox is a shell that you put the wallet key into and then plug that into the key slot to start the car. handy if your key is broken or missing.
oh and those slot things next to the shifter are for sure quarter holders!
Still one of my favorite cars! I had a 2010 S4 with the 6 speed manual. The torque is so abundant that I find myself just using 2nd to 4th to 6th, unless I was really accelerating hard! Any issues with that practice of jumping gears?
+Ray Custodio Not really, so long as you're not doing it super aggressively. Can put a little extra wear on the synchros if you do it super quickly.
+Engineering Explained Understood -- had 65K on the original clutch before I traded for a diesel. But that's another (unresolved) story...
This was a very helpful video. Been looking to get an S4. I like how you you went into detail with everything. Was extremely helpful for me since I’m someone who doesn’t know a lot about cars lol.
Did you get it
Wow-- this review exceeded my expectations!
Most auto-journalistss fall short when evaluating: *1) the technical aspects* of a car (new or interesting powertrain technology // engineering solutions), and *2) how the car drives* (damper+spring behavior // body control // pedal feel // steering feel)-- but you did an excellent job of covering both aspects.
I think its for those reasons we like Chris Harris' reviews, and also *your* reviews.
That dashboard is stuffed with goodies, but still pretty much looks like the one in my 2012 Jetta.😆
Lol, the "quarter holder" is the microphone for the car
Hahaha awesome.
Engineering Explained It is a quarter holder.... in germany we use eitherway 1€ coins or simple plastic coins the same size to get a shopping cart. Cars here mostly have a spot to store those plastic coins. The microphone is located at the top near the center light.
My mistake, you were right.
@@Explosivo93 And a card/ticket holder
The window and sunroof feature opening with the key dosent require the key on vag cars just hold down unlock :)
gb291 It's funny because in the manual I didn't notice it saying that. Much easier haha.
Engineering Explained haha no problems man
My 2007 Honda Odyssey EX-L with DVD/NAV opens all four windows by pressing the unlock button twice and holding the unlock button to operate it, except for the sunroof.
It is also possible to code the vehicle to also close all the windows from the remote. Requires use of VagCom software and knowledge of special codes.
Mike Pretorius my polo does it you just hold lock
Go drive an RS7 and report back. That smile and giggle you had when you felt the S4 would be MUCH bigger!
As well as the price tag!
Spot on mate brilliant review got a 2012 s4 already so don’t no why I’m watching this great fun car
I noticed you keep putting shifter in Manual mode before you use the paddle shifters. You really don't need to, for as soon as you tap any of the paddles it switches to M mode automatically. I never seem to need to flip the shifter to Manual Mode. Great detailed review
I can fully understand the amount of fun driving that car :) The performance should be about the same as my 335 HP Golf mk6 R and I absolutely love to drive it (also has the dual clutch gearbox)
Buddy, Your videos are perhaps the most easiest to understand for a daily driver perspective. Kudos!
after looking through some of your videos, it's clearly visible that audi looks so much more professional under the hood
Just bought an 2015 A3 Quattro for the wife and hopefully an 2015 or newer S4 for me by Christmas, first time Audi owners too!! This video looks like it was shot on the historic Columbia river highway.
My girlfriend's dad is about to get this car. Man I cannot wait to drive it! Great review, I love how relaxed and informative it is.
Joshua Rogers if he lets you drive it
Owning an 2014 s4 for the past 2 years, i never had the steering issues you noticed on the highway. Must have been something wrong with the car. I know audi made a steering firmware update a while back, maybe it wasn't applied to the car. On the brakes I totally agree with you, and in a parking lot I still find them over sensitive. The thing that I love beside the incredible throttle response is how well the car mask its weight. It doesn't feel like 4000lbs at all. The phenomenonal grip is probably the reason. My only real complaint about the s4 is that you have to gun it into very illegal limits to have fun on the road. It's too serious and lack playfulness.
+sephiros9883 The steering issue they fixed with a replacement part for part of the power steering system. If you bought it used it was probably fixed or you bought one after they had already addressed the issue.
I had the exact same issue with my 2015 A4, although the audi dealership I had look at it couldn't find any issue, and didn't admit it was a known problem.
I want this car as my daily so bad!!! But I want the 6 speed manual. Great review!
My dad has a 2011. Same engine but pre face lift. The throttle response is absolutely insane.
Please keep on doing car reviews like this. This is how Top Gear used to do reviews when they started. Now all they do is use fancy words while driving like maniacs intent on killing cameramen.
matt brauninger Now they're not doing anything! Haha, which is quite unfortunate.
This is a really good review. You are one of the few people that does a review where you actually learn about the car. I have a 2013 s4 and some of the things you pointed out like the car feeling like its moving out of lane even if straights. Just so you know that issue is now fixed with vagcom and it was the adaptive steering that audi implemented. Through vagcom you can turn it off, getting rid of that. Oh an the fake engine soundtrack can be turned off too by pulling a fuse that specifically relates to the engine sound amplification. I tried driving with it off for a few weeks and honestly I like it with the sound actuators better. I like my cars loud and the sound is nice. The problem is that when a car is loud you get a lot of attention. This solves it by giving you the noise that you want inside the car but not as much outside. Smart move I think. But... All of that didn't matter after I bought an exhaust haha.
Good video brother. Keep it up. Hopefully soon you will be able to review a supercar!
Just recently purchased a 2015 S4 Daytona grey for my wife with 52k miles for $23k already had AWE cat back exhaust and lowering springs. I recently put an IE stage 1 tune and TCU transmission tune car is sooo fun it scoots pretty good.
- when pushing and holding the"open" button on the remote, the windows willalso open.
- switch between songs with the left roller on the steering wheel, push to confirm
otherwise really well done!!
+Christophe Schaber As far as I know, holding and opening does not work in America. Must be some jerk who sued a car company because he accidentally pushed open button and got his car stolen.
+Batuhan Genç thanks for the info! pity thou, it's a neat function..
I agree you reviews are really awesome and so in depth, and I love that you give your perspective as an every user as well. I would like it if you found a way to get under the car and really see and explain the underside of the cars too!
Wow. You are my new favorite car reviewer. I learned more about this Audi in your review than any other I've watched. Also love your format and insight. Keep the reviews coming.
Thanks!
You can hold the lock or unlock key on the remote to open the windows ;)
This feature is normally disabled in North America but easy to change with a scan tool (VCDS, OBDeleven, etc)
you should do a video on quattro system
All wheel drive is the quattro (4)
Had the opportunity to drive this car. Truly a fun car. Had the sensitive brakes and instant throttle as described in the video. Great drive!
Thanks for the informative videos. Love your reviews. Love the Oregon Gorge. Im up in Vancouver. Ever make it out to Cars and Coffee in Tigard?
tallbozo I need to go sometime!
Engineering Explained definitely worth your time. This weekend is supposed to be nice so I'd expect a good showing
This car looks exactly the same as my dad's A4, only difference is the engine basically. Nice review!
Drove for the first time last week. While I've always liked your videos, I understand these reviews a lot more.
You can also do the "open window" thing with the remote-key. Just hold down either open or lock :)
Awsome in depth and detailed review; ones like this are hard to come by.
Surely looking forward to more of your videos!
I just subscribed as well. Concise yet informative. No crazy adjectives, just the facts. Love it, thanks bud!
I've been looking for a reviewer like you for a long time, your style of video is great, I don't know what took me so long to find your channel but now I am subbed.
You really seem to know your stuff. This is pretty cool. Consider me subbed :)
Btw, the torque in the steering wheel when on the freeway is either 1 of 2 things.
1. Adaptive steering
OR
2. Lane Departure control.
As far as I know, both can be turned off so you don't have that issue.
I have a 2016 S4 and the 19" Continentals have a lot of tram lining so maybe that's also a factor.
I managed 35mpg in my Audi B5 RS4 on the M25 motorway cruising at 60mph. 2.7 bi turbo, 483bhp, 480lbs/ft torque, remapped with exhaust, itg air filter, upgraded fuel pump
You should put a camera on the side of the road and get footage of it cornering as you're doing your review. It would really make your reviews legit! They are already fantastic, just would be a cool addition. Keep up the great work.
Ah! I forgot how much I enjoy these reviews of yours. Thanks for the video, man! Great review.
Better reviews than SubaruWRXFan to be honest..
Nick Dbrow Matt's a great fellow; diversity makes the internet wonderful. :)
Engineering Explained Agreed, different strokes for different folks. I just appreciate the level of detail you go into in your reviews, especially under the hood, and the overall genuine feel of the review (i.e. no bias and such). Both you and Matt do good reviews, but my preference has been found! Keep up the good work!
Appreciate the kind words, thanks!
Man, thank you that you exist out there.
wow you can really see the instant throttle response. that looks insane, i bet it would be awesome behind the wheel.
Good review way better than cinema show in other channels you gust keep everything simple but with all information that buyers need billion thanks
Great use of the headmounted camera for inside filming! Gives a really good impression of the passenger department.
The reason the keyfob can be used to start the car using the dash slot is because the slot also recharges the battery in the keyfob.
my 95 bmw had that trick with the key in door to let the windows down. lol. good job audi u figured it out
This guy gives the best info and reviews...smart and practical
It's funny that the rolling up / down with the key in the door it's something many German cars have had since the late 80s. Around the mid to late 90s you can do it by simply holding the lock / unlock button on the key fob.
Great Review and I whole heartedly agree about your disappointment with the artificial sound. Something that is definitely not an issue with our Flat 4's! Lol!
Good Job!
How fast you reached for the gear shift at 11:15 tells me that you are a real driver and you miss your stick shift already :))) Took you 8 seconds :))))
Perfect thumbnail to video transition I’ve ever seen.
hey, just want to add up something. the real reason why there is a stop/start button and an actual hole for the key fob is because you can charge your key fob by putting it inside the hole to start the engine. So once in a while you gotta put it to start the engine while charging the key itself.
Wow this is the best review I've ever seen on youtube for a daily car, it is on the level of thatdudeinblue
Its been 4 years since this video. Time for a revisit.
You hush! We want to remember the S4 as supercharged! Lol
I love your style of reviewing cars, keep your unique flavour as it is.
Etienne Francoeur Thanks!
I also liked my Volkswagen. The nice thing for me is that so much you can do with the car. Bolds and screws are well made, doorpanel easy to remove, plastic caps don't break when removing, even i replaced the cup holder when the old cup holder had broken parts. Telescopespring bonet holder, 6 bolds and than the front bumper take of fit back always easy without 1000 clips desasters.
The car is a keyless start but if you put it in the slot it charges the key fob. Neat little feature!
one of the best car reviews i have ever seen. thanks for the details!
@ 7:11 The car also is equipped with rear fog lights but for most Americans they have no idea what they are for or how to use them. Good Review, I love my S4.
Great review. My first of your videos and I must say that I'm a fan of how well detailed your video is. I've owned a 2011 s4 four years now and this is by far the best review on a s4. I had no idea that it had a noise actuator!! Looking forward to viewing your other videos. Keep up the great work. Thank you so much for what you do.
i just had a high air flow air filter and stage 1 remap from MRC on my manual S4 B8, i now have 460 bhp and 545ft torque.
Enjoy your video and the way you explain things.
That feed back that your getting is Audi’s torque steer. It pretty much keeps the wheel straight for you when you hit the gas. Try it from a standstill you’ll see what I’m talking about
Great review. Not as slidy as most but very informative and "real world". Exactly what I was looking for as I'm in the market for one! Thanks!
Not sure if you were aware, but holding the "unlock" button on the key fob will actually drop the front window's from afar, it does this on most if not all VAG cars, SEAT/AUDI/SKODA/VW
Great Review by the way :)
The newer ones anyway...the button part doesn't on my 03
Steven B it can be programmed in I have it on my 03
Ben Breeze how do you program it in?
I just want to point out that when someone sits in the back, its been the same since I was kid in the 60's, you straddle the center hump, you don't put your feet on it. Thanks for the video.
Great review, I also notice that yaw that happens in the steering. Seems to happen when there is bad undulations in the road, I find it to be discomforting a bit. In regards to the fake sound coming into the cabin, I don't think it's as a result of the lack of engine noise, rather there's so much sound deadening in the cabin that the noise doesn't naturally transfer to the interior that well when you're driving it.
I work at an Audi dealership and I've driven many S4's and my only real complain about the car would be the understeer they suffer. A thicker rear sway bar tunes it out pretty well and it becomes a much better handling car. I would assume most of the reason for it would be the fact the motor is mounted so far forward as with most Audis. If they would mount that motor farther back, it would really help with the understeer and make it a much better handling car.
the button behind the accelerator is called a kickdown its on my 2000 a6 twinkle turbo
I believe that "quarter holder" is accualy a place to put credit cards or a drivers license. Good video. I love the car reviews you do.
The button under the accelerator pedal is called kickdown
15:40 Is the Redline at 6k or 7k ? Or is 6k the point where you can start, "Backing off or you'll hit 7k" type of deal? Never understood that about this car...
Finally someone who doesn't kvetch about the damn selector!
As a sidenote: you can also keep the unlock button on the FOB pushed to slide down all windows and open the sunroof a bit. No need to put the key into the hole ;)
Also, the issue with the steering is the lane departure assistant i would say, which tries to keep you on track rather aggressively, its the button on the left signal stick. Took me a while to understand it, i thought it has steering issues as you did.